Francis & Leilani Oliveira's Obituary
LEILANI WARINNER OLIVEIRA passed away on April 21, 2023 at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband FRANCIS EMORY “BUDDY” OLIVEIRA who passed away on May 5, 2013 at the age of 86. They are survived by their three children Brigadier General Bruce Emory Oliveira (Jeanne) HI, Kay Haunani Lipps (Dan) TX, and Brian Francis Oliveira (Celeste) CA. They are remembered by their eight grandchildren Natasha Martens (Carey) WA, Brittany Nikolic (David) WI, Trixee Detrich (Chris) TX, Bronson Oliveira CA, Captain Cean Oliveira (Lacey) WA, Liko Oliveira (Alyssa) NV, C’era Oliveira-Norris (Darian) NV and Taylor Tsuji WA, as well as their 10 greatgrandchildren Shaelyn and Aurelia Martens; George and Sebastian Nikolic; Daxyn and Avyanna Oliveira; Desean, Davian and Dezmond Oliveira-Norris; Remington Detrich, and Callan Oliveira; in addition to one more on the way. Buddy was a proud graduate of Roosevelt High’s class of 1945, and Lei graduated with the Great ’48 of Kamehameha School for Girls. Both Buddy and Lei were graduates of the University of Hawaiʻi – Buddy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business and a Master’s in Elementary Education and Administration while Lei earned a Bachelor of Education and a Professional Certificate in Elementary Education. They were well-known and accomplished individuals in Hawaiʻi’s Department of Education. Buddy was a teacher then principal at Nimitz Elementary, Hālawa Kai Elementary, Barber’s Point Elementary, Waipahu High, Lānaʻi Elementary and High, Aliamanu Elementary, ʻAiea Intermediate, Kalani High, Roosevelt High, Jefferson Elementary and Orthopedic Unit, Booth Memorial for Young Mothers and Shriners Hospital. Lei was a counselor for the Girl Scouts of America as well as teacher at ʻAiea Elementary, Alvah A. Scott Elementary, Lānaʻi Elementary and Kapalama Elementary in addition to various roles at Palama Settlement Day Camp, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, the Department of Education’s Hawaiian Studies Program, Holt Rinehart and Winston publishing company, Delta Kappa Gamma, Noe Noe Golf Club, Ka’ahumanu Society, and the University of Hawaiʻi. Once they retired, Buddy and Lei enjoyed a life filled with golf, and gardening while living in Volcano, Hawaiʻi for 20 years. Health matters eventually brought them back to Honolulu, but they were once again surrounded by family and still found themselves never apart from each other while continuing to hit the golf course with friends, tending to their daughter’s garden, and watching their grandchildren’s academic and extracurricular achievements. Though their passings broke the hearts of those closest to them, their loved ones find comfort in knowing Buddy and Lei are together again. We’ll miss Buddy’s quick and witty humor, love for all things chocolate, natural musical talents and his wealth of knowledge that was always on display when completing crossword puzzles and watching Jeopardy! And we will always remember Lei’s sweet and infectious smile, magical green thumb, her effortless way around the kitchen and her strength in the 10 years following the loss of Buddy. We are so lucky to continue feeling their unconditional love and pride which we were never short of enjoying in their presence. Celebration of Life will be on Saturday July 1, 2023, at Valley of the Temples Trousdale Chapel from 10am - 1245pm.
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